Shipping and display package for card mounted articles

ABSTRACT

A package for card mounted articles which includes a U-shaped cell or card composed of a first mounting panel and a second mounting panel interconnected by a spacer panel, and an article of manufacture on each of the mounting panels, the articles being carried at a mounting portion of the mounting panels, with the mounting portions being on the confronting surfaces of the cell but offset with respect to the opposing mounting portion, the amount of offsetting being sufficient so that the packaged items do not occupy any common volume.

IJnited States Patent 1191 Sama [45] Oct. 8, 1974 SHIPPING AND DISPLAY PACKAGE FOR 3,606,134 9/1971 Engle 229/23 R CARD MOUNTED ARTICLES 3,659,706 5/1972 Serrell 206/42 X Inventor: Nicholas Sama, 4940 S.W. 95th Ave., Miami, Fla. 33165 Filed: Dec. 22, 1971 Appl. No.: 210,938

US. Cl. 206/461, 206/472 Int. Cl B65d 73/00 Field of Search 206/42, 46 R, 46 P, 56 R, 206/56 AB, 65 R, 78 B, DIG. 8; 220/3] S; 229/16 D, 23 R, 40

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2/1964 DePaul Et al 206/65 R 4/1966 Holley 206/65 R l/l97l Gerner et al. 220/31 S X Primary ExaminerWilliam I. Price Assistant ExaminerSteven E. Lipman [57] ABSTRACT A package for card mounted articles which includes a U-shaped cell or card composed of a first mounting panel and a second mounting panel interconnected by a spacer panel, and an article of manufacture on each of the mounting panels, the articles being carried at a mounting portion of the mounting panels, with the mounting portions being on the confronting surfaces of the cell but offset with respect to the opposing mounting portion, the amount of offsetting being sufficient so that the packaged items do not occupy any common volume. 1

18 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures 1 SHIPPING AND DISPLAY PACKAGE FOR CARD MOUNTED ARTICLES BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION ically, the article is housed in a bubble or thin plastic envelope which is sealingly secured to the surface of the backing sheet. These cards are difficult to display and clumsy and cumbersome to stack and keep in order. Another problem of such packages is that the thin plastic enclosure may be easily damaged in shipment, or in storage, and not infrequently the enclosed article may be damaged.

In order to prevent damage to the article, in such cases, it is often necessary to package small numbers of the assembled blister cards or other type card mounted articles in small boxes which are then packaged in a somewhat larger shipping or storing container, which in turn are packed in a larger container. This is because of the inherent clumsy nature of the blister cards in packed condition and the necessity of the double'packaging adds to the expense of manufacturing and ship- 'ping the same, but is necessary in order to protect the contents. 1

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The instant invention obviates many of the abovementioned objectionable features in packaging and displaying card mounted objectsand provides a versatile package composed of a card array arranged in multicell form, when folded, and which can be expanded into a disposition suitable for display and vending of the articles. When the card array is arranged in a box-like multi-cell form and. items have been mounted to it, each blister or bubble enclosure and article thereof are contained in a cell of the package and protected from damage during shipment and storage and, the same can be more easily stacked and stored. Since the blister enclosure is protected from crushing or damage, it is often possible to reduce the thickness thereof, resulting in economy of production in use of the plastic material for forming such enclosures. Also, the multi-cell packaging technique is useful in that advertising graphics or other indicia are protected from marring or soilingduring handling and shipment of the blister-packaged or card mounted product. The blister card array or package of the invention also is particularly useful in that it may be arranged in a selfsupporting expanded form for counter display or pendantly supported in a prominent place in merchandising. Moreover, the several sections of the card array containing separate card mounted articles may be severed from the cell along a perforated fold line as each is sold, affording a convenient way of dispensing or marketing individually the card mounted sired, the several articles of a multi-cell package may be severed for placement on shelves of a store.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 illustrates the mounting card array in an unfolded expanded configuration;

FIG. 2 illustrates the card array in a box-like form de- DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to FIG. 1, the card array construction of the instant invention is indicated by the numeral 12 and includes a paperboard backing sheet 14 mounting a plurality of blister packages 16, 16', each package including a thin-walled plastic bubble-like enclosure 18 secured on the backing sheet 14 and enclosing an article. The blister card array 12 is demarked into a plurality of cell'sections by a plurality of transversely-extending perforated fold lines 14a, 14b, 14c, 14d, the cells being designated by the numerals 22, 24 and 2 6. It is also demarked into primary and secondary end flap sections 28 and 30. Each of the cell sections 22, 24 and 26 preferably includes a pairof blister packages 16 and 16', such that when the cell is closed, the blister or the mounted item will be arranged in staggered relation.

Each of the cell sections of the blister card construction 12 is adapted to be folded in generally U-form or shape, defining a U-shape structure, for providing a cell enclosure-containing a pair of articles, as is indicated by the blister 16 and 16'. Each of the cell sections 22, 24 and 26 are of like form and the following description of the cell section 22, see FIG. 3, will suffice also as a description of the cell sections 24 and 26:

The. cell section 22 is demarked by a parallel pair of perforated fold lines 32, 34 into three panels hingedly connected together, namely a first blister panel 36, a second blister panel 38, and a spacer panel 40. The panels 36, 38 are adapted to be right angularly folded respectively along the perforated fold lines 32,34 into parallel confronting relation (see FIG. 2). When the cell section 22' is folded in U-form, the pair of blister packages 16 and 16' are interposedly arrangedrespectively between the panels 36, 38 and on opposite sides of the longitudinal centerline X-X' of the backing sheet structure. Generally, it is seen that each panel has a mounting region on the confronting surfaces thereof when in the U-shaped configuration, with the regions being offset with respect to the opposing mounting region, the amount of offsetting being sufficient to that the packaged items do not occupy any common volarray in vending the blister-packaged articlesand,'if deume.

. t articles. A merchant or sales person has only to tear off one of the cardswith its mounted article from the card early'inter'sect respectively-paired cut edges 42', 42"

defining respectively reinforcing tab structure 44', 44"

arranged on opposite sides of the central spacer panel 40 of the cell section. The reinforcing tabs 44, 44" preferably are integrally connected with the spacer panel 40 respectively along parallel extending score lines 46', 46" and are adapted to be convergingly folded along score lines 46', 46", to a generally right angular relation with the spacer panel 40, and to flatwise parallel spaced relation. The dimension A, across the spacer panel (see FIG. 3) is at least as great as and preferably corresponds to the height indicated B, of the blister packages 16, 16' or the height of a mounted article, of the cell section. When the cell section is in U- form, the tabs 44', 44" preferably are arranged laterally of the respective blister packages or items 16, 16' and provide reinforcing means for maintaining the cell section 22 in rectangular hollow form, see FIG. 2.

The primary flap section 28 of the backing strip 14, in addition to providing closure flap means for maintaining the card array in a box-like form, also provides tab structure 48, 48", operative in providing additional reinforcing means for the cell section 22. The tab portions 48, 48" are integrally connected respectively along parallel score lines 50', 50" on opposite sides of the primary flap section. When the cell section 22 is erected in hollow cell form, the tabs 48, 48" are arranged respectively between the blister panels 36, 38; the tab portions 48', 48" project respectively convergingly toward the tab portions 44, 44" of the spacer panel structure 40, and provide reinforcing means in conjunction with the reinforcing tabs of the spacer panel (see FIGS. 2 and 3).

The secondary flap section 30 is provided with aligned pairs of divergingly extending slotted portions 52', 52", 54, 54" arranged respectively on opposite sides of the longitudinal center line XX' of the backing sheet structure 14 and provide means defining paired reinforcing tab portions 56', 56"; 58', 58" integrally formed of the secondary flap structure. The tabs 56', 56"; 58', 58" are integrally joined respectively to the parent structure of the secondary flap 30 along respective score lines 60', 60".

In the three-cell construction of the card array, and when the card construction is in an erected form (FIG. 2) the secondary flap section 30 passes across two of the hollow cell formations and defines tie and reinforcing means for maintaining the two sections in rigidified rectangular form: The tab portions 56', 56" are received in the hollow interior respectively of the cell section 26; in like manner, the tab portions 58, 58" are received in the interior of the rectangular cell section 24. When the card array 12 is arranged in an erected disposition, the perforated fold lines 14a, 14b, 14c, 14d are coplanar arranged on one side of the box-like construction, and the perforated fold lines 32, 34 respectively of the cell sections 22, 24, 26 are coplanar ar- V ranged on that side of the card array opposite from the fold lines 14a, 14b, 14c, 14d. When the card array is in an erected dispostion, the first panels and second panels of adjacent cell sections are in flatwise engagement. For example, the second display panel 38 of the cell section 22 is in flatwise engagement with the display panel 36 of the cell section 24. When in an erected form, the slot portions 52, 52"; 54, 54" of the secondary flap section 30 span the flatwise-engaged display panel portions respectively of the cell sections 24 and 26 and provide additional means for maintaining the cell portions in rigidified juxtapositioned relation.

The opposite edge margins of the backing sheet 14 preferably is in the form of corresponding stepped portions 62, 62"; 64', 64" extending transversely respectively along the primary and secondary flap sections 28 and 30. When the card array 12 is in erected form (FIG. 2) the stepped edge margins 62, 62" and 64, 64" matingly edgewise engage in coplanar arrangement and provide additional means for reinforcing the erected card array structure. Tape strips 66 preferably span the mating edge portions of the primary and secondary flap sections 28 and 30, holding the flap sections in coplanar arrangement and aid in maintaining the card array in erected form. It will be appreciated that other types of fastening means may be utilized in lieu of the tape strips 66. In certain embodiments, not shown, the fastening means may be in the form of detachable hook and slot structure formed respectively on the primary and secondary flap sections and operative in securing the card structure in erected configuration.

An aperture 68 may be provided in the primary flap section 28 for pendantly supporting the card array in an unfolded expanded disposition: The aperture portion 68 may be placed over a nail or the like of stationary support structure for pendantly supporting the card array in a disposition suitable for display and vending of the carried articles. Advertising indicia or other information preferably is formed on each display panel 36 and 38 and on that side surface of the backing sheet 14 mounting the plurality of blister packages 16, 16 or articles.

In using or merchandising the card array 12, when it is arranged in packaged form, (FIG. 2) a user may unfold the card array to anexpanded disposition and optionally sever the blister panels 36, 38 individually or may pendantly support the panel array by placing the aperture structure 68 over existing stationary pin or nail means. The plurality of panels 36, 38 may be individually severed along respective perforated fold lines 14 and all of the panels or card sections 70 may be placed in a merchandise stall or the like and the respective primary and secondary flap sections 28, 30 and the spacer panel portions 40 may be discarded. When the card array is to be merchandised in a dispostion pendantly supported from the aperture structure 68, the secondary flap section 30 is severed along perforation line 14d and discarded. Subsequently, with each sale of a packaged article 20, the package card section 70 supporting the article is severed along a respective perforated line and given to the purchaser. The remaining package card sections 70 may successively be merchandised in this manner and the primary closure flap 28 and spacer panels 40 discarded.

It is seen that a cell composed of the opposing panels and spacer panels with a mounted article therebetween may be utilized as an individual package and tied by a rubberband, for example; and, in the preferred embodiment, the folded end sections of the spacer panels provides additional rigidifying of the cell. A number of cells may be selected by the user to meet the criteria of his products. For example, the three celled package of FIG. 2. The card may be blank to accommodate three cells, or the cells may be interconnected together by a hinge of flexible plastic.

Referring now to the second embodiment of FIGS. 4-6, it is seen that a pair of cells are interconnected and that to the face of each display panel, an elongate item,

73, 73a, 73 and 73a are mounted. The spacer panel of the cell 75, it is seen, includes reinforcing flaps or tabs, 77, 79 which are folded out of the plane of the spacer panel 81, the width of the same being as great as the heighth of the mounted article or blister package from its display panel surface. In a preferred embodiment, the ends 83, 85 of the spacer panel remain connected to the display panels, as does the intermediate portion 87 or central portion, to provide additional rigidifying means. Again, the character of the combination, notwithstanding the fact that an elongate item is mounted thereto, is such that each of the display panels or mounting panels have a mounting region which is offset with respect to the opposing mounting region, when the display panels of'a cell are in confronting re lation, the amount of offsetting being sufficient so that the packaged items do not occupy a common volume.

What is claimed is: 1. In combination, A) at least two packaged items,

and B) a generally U-shaped mounting card array package mounting the items for shipment and display,

said card array being made from a rectangular sheet and together with said two items comprising a unit cell;

said unit cell including:

a central spacer panel of rectangular form having a length and width dimension and comprising the base of the U structure; l

- a first mounting panel extending outwardly from one of the length sides of said spacer panel, and

a second mounting panel extending outwardly from the other length side of the spacer panel,

said mounting panels comprising the sides of the U structure,

the lines of juncture between the mounting panels and the spacer panel being partially severed,

each of said mounting panels having a surface in confronting relation with the surface of the opposing mounting panel,

a mounting portion on each of said confronting surfaces offset with respect to opposing mounting portion, the amount of offsetting being sufficient so that the packaged items do not occupy any common volume,

means mounting one of the items to each of the mounting portions,

the dimension of the spacer panel between the mounting panels being at least as great as the distance from the distal surface of each item to the respective mounting portion to which it is mounted,

and the spacer panel being provided with at least one tab-like reinforcing member defined by a primary cut running from one of said lines ofjuncture to the other, and secondary cuts extending codirectionally along said lines of juncture from the termini of said primary cut to points on a perpendicular to said lines of juncture and said reinforcing member being folded along said perpendicular.

2. The combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein the spacer panel is scored along said perpendicular defining a fold line for each reinforcing member.

3. The combination as set forth in claim 2 wherein the unit cell includes a primary flap extending from the side of one of the mounting panels folded toward the other mounting panel.

5. The combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein the unit cell includes a primary reinforcing flap extending from the side of one of the mounting panels folded toward the other mounting panel.

6. The combination as set forth in claim 1 in combination with a similarly constructed combination, the

mounting panels of each of the cells extending in a common direction, and adjacent cells are provided with hinge means interconnecting the distal ends of adjacent mounting panels whereby the cells are interconnected and the combinations are stacked as a package.

7. The combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein the cell includes a primary flap on a side of one of the mounting panels folded toward the other mounting panel, and wherein said flap includes a cut-out extending along its edge-portion matingly engaged with the edge of the other mounting panel.

8. The combination as set forth in claim 7 wherein said primary flap includes a reinforcing tab at each end of the flap folded between said first and second mounting panels reinforcing said unit cell.

9. The combination as set forth in claim 8 in combination with a similarly constructed combination, the mounting panels of each of the cells extending in a common direction, and adjacent cells are provided with hinge means interconnecting the distal ends of adjacent mounting panels whereby the cells are interconnected and the combinations are stacked as a package.

10. In combination, A) at least two packaged items, and B) a generally U-shaped mounting card array package mounting the items for shipment and display,

said card array being made from a rectangular sheet and together with said two items comprising a unit cell; I

said unit cell including:

a central spacer panel of rectangular form having a length and width dimension and comprising the base of the U-structure;

a first mounting panel extending outwardly from one of the length sides of said spacer panel, and

a second mounting panel extending outwardly from the other length side of said spacer panel,

said mounting panels comprising the sides of the U- structure,

the lines of juncture between the mounting panels and the spacer panel being partially severed,

each of said mounting panels having a surface in confronting relation with the surface of the opposing mounting panel,

a mounting portion on each of said confronting surfaces offset with respect to the opposing mounting portion, the amount of offsetting being sufficient so that the packaged items do not occupy any common volume,

means mounting one of the items to each of the mounting'portions,

the dimensions of the spacer panel between the mounting panels being at least as great as the distance from the distal surface of each item to the respective mounting portion to which it is mounted, and at least one end of the spacer panel of said unit cell being provided with cuts of common length originating at the end-edge of said spacer panel and extending lengthwise along the lines of juncture of said panels and defining a tab-like reinforcing member, said reinforcing member being folded along the perpendicular to and running through the ends of the cuts.

11. The combination as set forth in claim 10 wherein the spacer panel is scored along said perpendicular defining a fold line for each reinforcing member.

12. The combination as set forth in claim 11 wherein the unit cell includes a primary reinforcing flap extending from the side of one of the mounting panels folded toward the other mounting panel.

13. The combination as set forth in claim 11 in combination with a similarly constructed combination, the mounting panels of each of the cells extending in a common direction, and adjacent cells are provided with hinge means interconnecting the distal ends of adjacent mounting panels whereby the cells are inteconnected and the combinations are stacked as a package.

14. The combination as set forth in claim 10 wherein the unit cell includes a primary reinforcing flap extending from the side of one of the mounting panels folded toward the other mounting panels.

15. The combination as set forth in claim 10 in combination with a similarly constructed combination, the mounting panels of each of the cells extending in a common direction, and adjacent cells are provided with hinge means interconnecting the distal ends of adjacent mounting panels whereby the cells are interconnected and the combinations are stacked as a package.

16. The combination as set forth in claim 10 wherein the cell includes a primary flap on a side of one of the mounting panels folded toward the other mounting panel, and wherein said flap includes a cut-out extending along its edge portion matingly engaged with the edge of the other mounting panel,

17. The combination as set forth in claim 16 wherein said primary flap includes a reinforcing tab at each end of the flap folded between said first and second mounting panels reinforcing said unit cell.

18. The combination as set forth in claim 17 in combination with a similarly constructed combination, the mounting panels of each of the cells extending in a common direction, and adjacent cells are provided with hinge means interconnecting the distal ends of adjacent mounting panels whereby the cells are interconnected and the combinations are stacked as a package. 

1. In combination, A) at least two packaged items, and B) a generally U-shaped mounting card array package mounting the items for shipment and display, said card array being made from a rectangular sheet and together with said two items comprising a unit cell; said unit cell including: a central spacer panel of rectangular form having a length and width dimension and comprising the base of the U structure; a first mounting panel extending outwardly from one of the length sides of said spacer panel, and a second mounting panel extending outwardly from the other length side of the spacer panel, said mounting panels comprising the sides of the U structure, the lines of juncture between the mounting panels and the spacer panel being partially severed, each of said mounting panels having a surface in confronting relation with the surface of the opposing mounting panel, a mounting portion on each of said confronting surfaces offset with respect to opposing mounting portion, the amount of offsetting being sufficient so that the packaged items do not occupy any common volume, means mounting one of the items to each of the mounting portions, the dimension of the spacer panel between the mounting panels being at least as great as the distance from the distal surface of each item to the respective mounting portion to which it is mounted, and the spacer panel being provided with at least one tab-like reinforcing member defined by a primary cut running from one of said lines of juncture to the other, and secondary cuts extending co-directionally along said lines of juncture from the termini of said primary cut to points on a perpendicular to said lines of juncture and said reinforcing member being folded along said perpendicular.
 2. The combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein the spacer panel is scored along said perpendicular defining a fold line for each reinforcing member.
 3. The combination as set forth in claim 2 wherein the unit cell includes a primary flap extending from the side of one of the mounting panels folded toward the other mounting panel.
 4. The combination as set forth in claim 2 in combination with a similarly constructed combination, the mounting panels of each of the cells extending in a common direction, and adjacent cells are provided with hinge means interconnecting the distal ends of adjacent mounting panels whereby the cells are interconnected and the combinations are stacked as a package.
 5. The combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein the unit cell includes a primary reinforcing flap extending from the side of one of the mounting panels folded toward the other mounting panel.
 6. The combination as set forth in claim 1 in combination with a similarly constructed combination, the mounting panels of each of the cells extending in a common direction, and adjacent cells are provided with hinge means interconnecting the distal ends of adjacent mounting panels whereby the cells are interconnected and the combinations are stacked as a package.
 7. The combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein the cell includes a primary flap on a side of one of the mounting panels folded toward the other mounting panel, and wherein said flap includes a cut-out extending along its edge portion matingly engaged with the edge of the other mounting panel.
 8. The combination as set forth in claim 7 wherein said primary flap includes a reinforcing tab at each end of the flap folded between said first and second mounting panels reinforcing said unit cell.
 9. The combination as set forth in claim 8 in combination with a similarly constructed combination, the mounting panels of each of the cells extending in a common direction, and adjacent cells are provided with hinge means interconnecting the distal ends of adjacent mounting panels whereby the cells are interconnected and the combinations are stacked as a package.
 10. In combination, A) at least two paCkaged items, and B) a generally U-shaped mounting card array package mounting the items for shipment and display, said card array being made from a rectangular sheet and together with said two items comprising a unit cell; said unit cell including: a central spacer panel of rectangular form having a length and width dimension and comprising the base of the U-structure; a first mounting panel extending outwardly from one of the length sides of said spacer panel, and a second mounting panel extending outwardly from the other length side of said spacer panel, said mounting panels comprising the sides of the U-structure, the lines of juncture between the mounting panels and the spacer panel being partially severed, each of said mounting panels having a surface in confronting relation with the surface of the opposing mounting panel, a mounting portion on each of said confronting surfaces offset with respect to the opposing mounting portion, the amount of offsetting being sufficient so that the packaged items do not occupy any common volume, means mounting one of the items to each of the mounting portions, the dimensions of the spacer panel between the mounting panels being at least as great as the distance from the distal surface of each item to the respective mounting portion to which it is mounted, and at least one end of the spacer panel of said unit cell being provided with cuts of common length originating at the end-edge of said spacer panel and extending lengthwise along the lines of juncture of said panels and defining a tab-like reinforcing member, said reinforcing member being folded along the perpendicular to and running through the ends of the cuts.
 11. The combination as set forth in claim 10 wherein the spacer panel is scored along said perpendicular defining a fold line for each reinforcing member.
 12. The combination as set forth in claim 11 wherein the unit cell includes a primary reinforcing flap extending from the side of one of the mounting panels folded toward the other mounting panel.
 13. The combination as set forth in claim 11 in combination with a similarly constructed combination, the mounting panels of each of the cells extending in a common direction, and adjacent cells are provided with hinge means interconnecting the distal ends of adjacent mounting panels whereby the cells are inteconnected and the combinations are stacked as a package.
 14. The combination as set forth in claim 10 wherein the unit cell includes a primary reinforcing flap extending from the side of one of the mounting panels folded toward the other mounting panels.
 15. The combination as set forth in claim 10 in combination with a similarly constructed combination, the mounting panels of each of the cells extending in a common direction, and adjacent cells are provided with hinge means interconnecting the distal ends of adjacent mounting panels whereby the cells are interconnected and the combinations are stacked as a package.
 16. The combination as set forth in claim 10 wherein the cell includes a primary flap on a side of one of the mounting panels folded toward the other mounting panel, and wherein said flap includes a cut-out extending along its edge portion matingly engaged with the edge of the other mounting panel.
 17. The combination as set forth in claim 16 wherein said primary flap includes a reinforcing tab at each end of the flap folded between said first and second mounting panels reinforcing said unit cell.
 18. The combination as set forth in claim 17 in combination with a similarly constructed combination, the mounting panels of each of the cells extending in a common direction, and adjacent cells are provided with hinge means interconnecting the distal ends of adjacent mounting panels whereby the cells are interconnected and the combinations are stacked as a package. 